Overview & Reviews

Chrysler is generally considered part of the Big Three, a title that refers to the traditional triumvirate of domestic automakers. The current accuracy of this classification is open for debate, but there's no debating the fact that Chrysler has experienced a revival of sorts over the past few years.

Chrysler Corporation was founded in 1925 by Walter P. Chrysler, a noted machinist; he'd purchased the Maxwell Motor Corporation of Detroit and used it as the foundation for his new company. The automaker quickly earned a reputation for advanced engineering. In 1928, Chrysler Corporation expanded with the purchase of Dodge and the creation of the DeSoto and Plymouth divisions.

The 1930s saw Chrysler boldly looking toward the future with the introduction of its revolutionary Airflow. Powered by a front-mounted inline-8, the car was one of the first to be designed with aerodynamics in mind, and featured swooping lines and a prominent grille. Perhaps a bit too ahead of its time, the Airflow was a flop with the public. Chrysler was able to survive the lean years of the Depression thanks to strong sales of its entry-level Dodge and Plymouth brands, whose vehicles boasted more traditional designs and much lower price tags.

Chrysler shined postwar. For a period in the late 1940s, it even surpassed Ford as the No. 2 U.S. automaker. The company's storied "Hemi" V8 engine debuted in 1951. Offering 180 horsepower, it was a significant improvement over Chrysler's previous 135-hp V8. The Hemi engine was meant to trounce the V8 offered by Cadillac, Chrysler's rival, and it kick-started Detroit's horsepower race of the 1950s and '60s. The '50s also saw the debut of treasured Chrysler classics like the handsome Town and Country and the sleek 300C.

By 1961, Chrysler had trimmed its line of brands by dropping the DeSoto nameplate. New technologies were also afoot, such as unibody construction (Chrysler was the first of the Big Three to introduce it) and the replacement of generators with alternators for a car's charging system. In the latter half of the '60s, Chrysler was heavily involved with NASCAR and producing performance-oriented cars.

At the same time, however, dark clouds were gathering. As with other domestic automakers, the 1970s proved to be a difficult decade due to the oil crisis, new government regulations and changing consumer tastes. A costly and ineffective overseas expansion further hurt the company's bottom line. By the late '70s, the company was in such financial disarray that it petitioned the government for $1.5 billion in loan guarantees to save it from bankruptcy.

Thanks to impressive public campaigning by then-chairman Lee Iacocca, the debut of the well-received K-car platform and the creation of the modern minivan, sales had improved dramatically by the mid-'80s. The government's loan was paid off seven years early. The picture further brightened in the late 1980s with Chrysler's purchase of American Motors Corporation (which netted the company the Jeep brand) and a joint venture with Mitsubishi known as Diamond Star Motors.

Success continued through the early 1990s. In 1998, German-based Daimler-Benz merged with Chrysler to form DaimlerChrysler. At the time, this deal was presented as a merger of equals. But it quickly became apparent that it was more of a purchase, with Daimler being the dominant partner.

Less than a decade later, that merger was no longer, as Daimler sold Chrysler (and Dodge) to a private equity firm in 2007. However, that merger had borne some worthwhile fruit, most notably in the form of the Chrysler 300 full-size sedan. The latter shared some chassis components with an older Mercedes-Benz E-Class platform.

As such, the 300 was a highlight for Chrysler that had a pleasingly solid feel to its driving dynamics that was further sweetened via an available powerful V8 engine. But soon after the split, America's economy slid into recession. Due to poor sales and debt, Chrysler had to declare bankruptcy and the federal government intervened with bailout loans. Eventually Chrysler came under control of Italy's Fiat.

Today, the lineup has been pared down to a pair of sedans, a convertible and a minivan. However, after years of having lackluster entries in the very important midsize car category, Chrysler made major improvements in the performance, design and quality of its midsize sedan entry, the 200. The latest 300 also stands as a prime choice for a premium full-size sedan. Still, it remains to be seen as to whether this and future product releases will be enough to restore the company to its former glory.

User Reviews:

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  Pacifica AWD 2005 - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By reach375 - April 15 - 10:00 am

  The exterior styling is appealing and with 19 inch wheels, most appealing however, the chrome clad could be replace with just regular alloy and look much better. The engine at 250 hp is adequate only, the overall weight at 4700 # is excessive and does impact on performance. The 4 speed transmission should probably be a 5 speed or offer a Hemi * 8 that allow for more hp and torque but the mileage of 16 mpg is already too poor. Overall, the interior with leather is adequate, however, some inetrior appointments could improve a bit too lean on style and comfort. Stereo system needs improvement and allow for better adjustments. Speakers are needing much improvement and placement is not ideal.

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  unexcited - 1998 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Braxt828 - April 14 - 2:00 am

  This is my 3rd Chrysler vehicle. Also the one I am least impressed with. We have had several problems that the dealer has yet to repair. The drivers seat rocks back and forth, and cant seem to be tightened. Air/driving noise is almost unbearable. And dont ever ask me to ride in the back seat again. I had a backache for a week! I never was comfortable with the headlights but thought it was just me until I heard of Consumer Reports review. Cost of changing the spark plugs was quite high and we still havent found a good windshield wiper. I have been loyal to Chrysler until this car.

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  Overall a good deal - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By ROCCO M - April 12 - 6:43 pm

  Minimal visibility out front window, blind spots all over, and this is truly a mans car.....I had to put 20 inch rims and performance tires to improve teh handling......

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  3rdVan - 2003 Chrysler Voyager
  By FiveDoor - April 11 - 2:00 am

  After five months we have had only one problem that remains unresolved. A sometimes noticeable slackness somewhere in the drivetrain which does not seem to effect driveability has not been found. Otherwise enjoy the van. Build quality does not seem quite as good as our 2000 was. Our two previous vans were both made in Canada. This one was built in the U.S.

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  cool car - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By cool car - April 10 - 10:50 pm

  i purchased this car after renting one love the ride and power rentel had 42000 miles on it i bought this one brand new at first hated it it was bad on gas but after about 25000 miles it was like some one flipped a switch 24 mpg and car is driven by two different drivers would own another one curently have 50000 miles on it

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  A pretty good car - 1997 Chrysler Sebring
  By musicguy - April 9 - 2:00 am

  Weve had this car for quite a while and really cant seem to find too much wrong with it. There have been quite a few recalls which is a little disconcerting, but they were all taken car of by the dealer. One nasty problem with the threshhold drain holes caused water to accumulate under the carpet. That wasnt a covered defect under warranty and cost us a few hundred to strip and dryy the interior.

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  Enjoyable Ride - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By topdownalways - April 8 - 2:00 am

  Fun ride with decent gas milage. Ive driven other LXi rental convertables and have seen a difference on performance. Some, like mine, have a lag when stepping on the gas and accelerating (which is critical for the split second pass). Once it does kick in, there is a jerk and quick acceleration. Sound system is great, seating room is great, trunk space is good (better than most convertables), love the car design and that you can be moving and still open/close the top. I have had the car for two years. I have had the window motor, the electrical light panel controler, and wheel bearings replaced at 36,000 miles.

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  almost 8 years - 1995 Chrysler Sebring
  By Steven Chilton - April 5 - 2:00 am

  When this car came out in 95 it was probably the best looking American car. Its style was similar to the Lexus 300s. Thats why I bought it. I always said it was a poor mans Lexus. Ive had this car almost 8 years and it still looks good and has been reliable. Only tires brakes and battery. It has had an oil leak for the past 3 years. the dealer seemed to think it was the cam senser but they werent sure so I didnt have it fixed. Its been a good car never breaking down once. The tape player did jam and I havent bben able to get the tape out.

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  Never again! - 1997 Chrysler Sebring
  By Carl R. - April 5 - 2:00 am

  Since day one this car has been nothing but problems. I have replaced the ball joints, axles, brakes twice, ty-rods 3 times. The digital odometer stopped working at 90K. It has had electrcial problems such as the power windows, seats, mirrors anad dash board lights will speratically not function. The top leaks. The battery has died three times in the course of one year. The door hinges have broken and the cooling system has sprung leakes everywhere. My mechanic runs and locks the door everytime I or the tow truck pull up with the car. This car has been a non stop mechanical disater!

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  A lot for the money - 2002 Chrysler Concorde
  By 022056 - April 5 - 2:00 am

  Very nice design inside and out, excellent blend of performance, size, luxury and comfort for the money.